ABIM WELCOMES CROSS-PARTY DIALOGUE ON ISLAMIC, BUMIPUTERA ISSUES

KUALA LUMPUR, March 6 (Bernama) -- The effort to bring together political parties from different backgrounds through a “Musyawarah” on Islamic and Bumiputera Issues is a positive step towards reviving the culture of dialogue and strengthening the spirit of virtue politics in the country, said Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin.

He said ABIM welcomed the initiative, which provides a platform for political parties to exchange views and engage in open discussions on matters of shared interest.

“In a democratic society, differences in political views are normal, but they should be managed with wisdom and courtesy to find common ground on issues affecting the people.

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“Virtue politics requires that political differences be handled wisely and should not lead to social polarisation or the exploitation of religious and racial sentiments,” he said in a statement today.

Ahmad Fahmi added that discussions on issues related to Islam, Malays and Bumiputeras should also open space for participation from the MADANI community, including Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGOs), academic institutions and youth movements, to ensure the discourse is more comprehensive.

He said ABIM is ready to contribute its views and collaborate with various parties in strengthening the culture of dialogue, community harmony and national well-being.

Earlier, UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in a Facebook statement that eight political parties participated in the “musyawarah” held at the UMNO headquarters at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here.

The parties involved were UMNO, PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Amanah, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), BERJASA, KIMMA and Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia (IKATAN).

Asyraf said he was entrusted by UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to chair the inaugural consultation, which brought together parties from both the government and opposition blocs for the benefit of the ummah and the interests of Islam.

-- BERNAMA